Let people live!

THERE are things I wish I did not feel the need to write about. Things so fundamental that it is beyond my comprehension- sometimes- why they appear to be contentious, controversial, or abnormal. As we continue to celebrate Pride month, however, I am forced to ponder why it is so difficult to just let people live.

Pride month is a time dedicated to uplifting and celebrating people who identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)+ community. It’s also a time when we are increasingly conscious of the challenges people within the community face.

Because you might not see horror stories of physical abuse against people who don’t conform to heteronormative standards very frequently, you might be tempted to believe that Guyana is not that bad at accepting LGBTQ+ people. You might be tempted to believe that there’s no need to clamour for LGBTQ+ rights or representation.

But that’s not the case.

Numerous publications, whether from the Georgetown Human Rights Institute or United Nations’ (UN) agencies, detail the violence and discrimination felt by LGBTQ+ people. That ranges from physical abuse to verbal, emotional, sexual, and mental violence- each of which would take a toll on any individual. And these allude to a seemingly festering sense of intolerance, even if it may only become unavoidably noticeable in Facebook comment sections.

You don’t need to look further than the comment sections of recent unfortunate reports of the Guyanese men who were found dead in a city hotel’s parking lot. In an instant, the conversation shifted from extending condolences that these two men died to faux-sleuthing attempts at determining their sexuality and relationship with one another.

As someone immersed in news and social media, I can assure you that was not an isolated occurrence. Further, consider what we normalise and consume elsewhere- the caricatures of LGBTQ+ folks in comedy or using someone’s sexual orientation (whether real, perceived, or alleged) as an insult. It’s just not okay.

We fail to realise that every time we let stigma, discrimination, and heteronormative ideals get the best of us, we chip away at our tolerance and respect for each other- both things that are so fundamental, I should not need to write that statement. We also contribute to the deterioration of people’s rights to happy, healthy, quality lives because, hot take, LGBTQ+ rights are human rights!

If we accept that people have a right to happy, healthy, quality lives, why are there different metrics or parameters for people with a different sexuality?

Thankfully, we are not without hope.

Though our healthcare system has big needs, I am particularly happy about the much-needed focus on making HIV care accessible to people within the community, cognisant of the stigma and discrimination they already face. That focus intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic when local authorities opted to make special provisions for the delivery of drugs and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Importantly, too, is the increasing spaces for LGBTQ+ persons with their allies. This past week, I attended an open mic night and mixer at a popular club in Georgetown. Such events are crucial because they help to foster a sense of belongingness and community- in my opinion, at least. And for people whose lives are policed- from the clothes they wear to the people they choose to love, it gives them a space to just be.

These two wins are not nearly enough, though. When the time comes that more gloomy columns about this topic don’t need to be written- when people finally just live their lives- then we can happily say that enough has been done. Until then, we can only continue working towards emphasising that equal rights and justice for all, includes LGBTQ people.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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